The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

Happy Things Friday: 27 June

It was a hot, busy(ish) week. My Oura ring reported a wonky HRV and elevated stress signals. Nothing particularly difficult happened, though Oura also kindly reminded me I’m in my luteal phase. Harumph. I…

Actually, I Have Done That

After so many posts about things I haven’t done, I figured it was high time we chatted about things I have done.

Named a calf. (Cherry — after the infamous Canadian hockey commentator, Don Cherry.)

Had…

The Art of the Thrift: Why Almost Everything We Wear Is Second-Hand

Our family wears almost exclusively thrifted clothes…and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I get a fair number of questions about what we do (and don’t) buy second-hand, and how it all works in…

My Kids Don’t Read (Except They Totally Do?)

A quick post today with two simple questions:

Do audiobooks count as reading?

What about re-reading the same book over and over?

Is it a straightforward yes? A hard no? Or somewhere in between?

I find myself…

Network or Know-How?

If you had to bet your future success — financial, relational, or otherwise — on just one thing, would you choose Who you know or What you know?

Sure, real life blends both. Relationships open…

Life
Jun, 23, 2025
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Happy Things Friday: 20 June

This week’s post is extra long (even by my verbose standards). A lot is happening! For the first time ever, I’m starting with a little TL;DR for those who would prefer the headlines: Belle…